112 



THE EARTHQUAKE. 



[1823. 



liberal and prompt in his supplies, that I was nearly ready to sail on 

 Saturday, the 2d of August, for Port Coquimbo, about sixty-five leagues 

 farther north, where I intended to unload the Wasp, and throw her down 

 for a thorough repair. Mr. Hogan kindly advanced all the money 

 that I required, which enabled me to purchase copper, timber, and 

 other necessaries for the contemplated purpose. Much of our copper 

 sheathing had been ripped off by the ice, in our antarctic expedition ; 

 a new cut-water and false keel were also necessary ; and a portion of 

 the stern-post which had been beaten off while the Wasp was on the 

 rocks in the Gulf of Penas was to be replaced. The spars, sails, 

 and rigging likewise required overhauling and repairing : to do all 

 of which I was amply supplied with means by the kindness of Mr. 

 Hogan, 



During one of my visits to this gentleman, he related to me many 

 interesting particulars connected with the late dreadful earthquake 

 which, eight months before, had nearly reduced the city to a heap of 

 ruins. This tremendous disaster occurred on the 18th of Novem- 

 ber ; the very day that I relinquished my fruitless search for the Aurora 

 Islands, as stated in Chap. III. It took place between ten and eleven 

 o'clock in the evening, and most of the destruction was caused by the 

 first shock, which was of nearly three minutes' duration. This un- 

 usually protracted convulsion of the earth spread terror, consternation, 

 and dismay in every direction, far and near. The inhabitants fled to 

 the hills and the shipping for safety. 



Many lives were lost ; more than three hundred mangled bodies 

 being afterward taken out of the ruins, from whence many were also 

 extricated alive. A great number were wounded, among whom was 

 the supreme director (who was down at that time from the capital, 

 Santiago), who very narrowly escaped while the governor's palace was 

 trembling over his head. This building is still so entirely in ruins 

 that it will be required to rebuild it from the foundation. Several 

 churches were levelled to the ground, and others so much rent and 

 shattered as to ruin them. The custom-house was much injured, and 

 almost every building in the place received more or less damage. 



Several other heavy shocks succeeded the first, but none of them 

 equalled it in violence or effect. Lighter shocks were experienced 

 almost every day afterward for nearly a month. All Chili appeared 

 to be shaken to its foundation ; and the capital, Santiago, or St. Jago, 

 was so violently agitated that most of the inhabitants left their houses, 

 and encamped in the fields. Several of the neighbouring towns and 

 villages were entirely ruined. The whole surviving population of Val- 

 paraiso were, for months afterward, scattered about the hills around 

 the port, and sheltered by tents, under the most alarming apprehensions 

 of perishing by famine, as all business was put a stop to. 



Mr. Hogan and the other consuls succeeded in making their escape 

 from the falling edifices, and took refuge on board the shipping, as did 

 also many English and American families residing in the place. One 

 of these gentlemen told me that he was sitting with some friends in his 

 room, when the first thing they heard was the falling of the roof, and, on 

 rushing forward he found it impossible to stand, the earth was in such 



N 



